The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

2. That these promises of God do not properly, and as to their original rise, depend on any conditions in Believers, or by them to be fulfilled, but are the Fountains, and Springs of all conditions whatever, that are required to be in them, or expected from them; though the Grace and Obedience of Believers are often mentioned in them, as the means, whereby they are carried on according to the appointment of God, unto the enjoyment (or continued in it) of what is promised. This one Consideration, that there is in very many of these Promises, an expresse non obstante, or a not-withstanding the want of any such condition, as might seem to be at the bottom, and to be the occasion of any such Promise, or Engagement of the Grace of God, is sufficient to give light and evidence to this Assertion. If the Lord sayeth expressly, that he will do so with men, though it be not so with them, his doing of that thing cannot depend on any such thing in them, as he saith, notwithstanding the want of it, he will do it. Take one instance, Isai. 54. v. 9, 10. In a little wrath have I hid my face from thee, for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord they Redeemer: for this is as the waters of Noah unto me; whereas I have sworn, that the waters of Noah shall no more cover the Earth, so have I sworn that I will not be worth with thee, nor rebuke thee: for the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. He will have mercy on them with everlasting kindness v. 8. Yea, but how if they walk not worthy of it? Why yet this kindness shall not fail, saith the Lord: for it is as the waters of Noah: God sweareth that the waters of Noah should no more cover the Earth, and you see the stability of what he hath spoken. The World is now reserved for Fire, but drowned it shall be no more: my kindness to thee (says God) is such. it shall nor more depart from thee, then those waters shall return again upon the Earth. Neither is this all, wherein he compareth his kindness to the waters of Noah, but in this also, in that in the Promise of drowning the World no more, there was an expresse non obstante for the sins of men. Gen. 8 21.

2. That these promises of God doe not properly, and as to their originall rise, depend on any conditions in Believers, or by them to be fulfilled, but are the Fountains, and Springs of all conditions whatever, that are required to be in them, or expected from them; though the Grace and Obedience of Believers are often mentioned in them, as the means, whereby they are carried on according to the appointment of God, unto the enjoyment (or continued in it) of what is promised. This one Consideration, that there is in very many of these Promises, an expresse non obstante, or a not-withstanding the want of any such condition, as might seeme to be at the bottome, and to be the occasion of any such Promise, or Engagement of the Grace of God, is sufficient to give light and evidence to this Assertion. If the Lord sayeth expresly, that he will doe so with men, though it be not so with them, his doing of that thing cannot depend on any such thing in them, as he saith, notwithstanding the want of it, he will doe it. Take one instance,